Defensive tackle Christian Ballard had a sack in the team’s preseason opener against the Texans, but was later pulled from the game with a groin injury that’s kept him out of practice over the last week.

Ballard, a fourth-round pick in 2011, won’t be returning to practice this week either. Coach Leslie Frazier announced after Sunday’s practice that Ballard has been placed on the active-left squad list after informing the team that he would be taking time away to deal with some personal issues.

“[Ballard] is one of those guys we were counting on to be a part in our rotation,” Frazier said, via 1500ESPN.com. “He did a very good job for us a season ago, we’re hoping he would help us this year as well. Hopefully, things work out for him. But he has some personal things he has to take care of.”

As Frazier intimated, Ballard was expected to make the team this year but Fred Evans and 2012 first-round pick Sharrif Floyd are now positioned to be the top reserves at tackle behind Kevin Williams and Letroy Guion. If Ballard’s absence is a short one, he may be able to hold onto his spot but the odds are probably against it given how close we are to the start of the regular season.

Ballard is a good player, but defensive line is probably the deepest area on the team. He’ll have a hard time making the team if he misses a lot of time, but he needs to do what he needs to do. I hope these personal issues get worked out. If he doesn’t make the team, he’ll catch on elsewhere if he chooses to.

Really though.. why is Floyd a backup? If he was taken by literally ANY other team he would be staring along side Kevin Williams. Frazier is a moron and he needs to go. Just like sticking with Ponder when its obvious to everyone that he’s horrible. Sure hope Matt Cassel can have the greatest season of his career this year, AD is a superhuman but he can’t do everything.

Flash Patterson: I’m with you. Not a Viking fan, but enjoy watching Frazier stick with ponder and something called Guiton. It was best case for non-Viking NFC north fans when the Vikings made the playoffs. They’ll now waste another year of AP’s prime with an awful QB.

Packer fans ripping on Ponder: We get it, that doesn’t really bother us because we do it too. Find something else to yammer on about. How about the Love Boat or the Whizzinator? Those are still fresh, right?

No idea what his reasons are. If it is a sick family member or something like that I’d expect him back once things conclude. Wish him the best.

But I do recall this guy had some “character” type issues coming out. Maybe he is struggling with depression or something. If that is the case, then time away is something that the team should support and welcome him back.

Some of these NFL players who maybe commit suicide or something you wonder if they weren’t so focused on this extreme sport business and rather were getting some professional help and resting that things might have turned out different.

In any case, wish him the best. He’s a decent looking player and part of the future if he can maintain.

I normally don’t give Packer fans a second thought, but it’s difficult when they spend every waking hour trolling forums looking for Viking stories about which they can make cowardly comments.
I wonder if they feel the same way about Jay Cutler as they do about Ponder. Cutler’s numbers were virtually identical to Ponders last year in every category. Of course if I didn’t have better things to do, maybe I would spend my whole day checking out comments on stories about other teams and find that Packer fans post on Bears and Seahawks stories more than those team’s own fans do.

The Vikings may not have won a Super Bowl (yet), and Ponder’s poor play may bother me, but at least I don’t have to spend my Friday nights trying to pick up 250 lbs chicks in the parking lot of a ShopKo.

I discovered that the Packer fans attack the Vikes threads because there are Waaaaaaay more anti Packer messages on the Packer threads.
Seriously , it looks like the Viking fans started this childish behavior.
I would much rather see a ” Respect ” of fellow ” Black & Blue ” division rivals.
It would be a lot more interesting looking at how ” Our ” division can fair against another.
How Our particular team can some how survive 6 ” in division ” games.
I think the NFC North is the best division in the NFL,,,,BAR NONE.
A trip to Chi town is not a easy task. Nor a trip to play the Vikes at their home, add to that a trip to Detroit or Green Bay can ruin your hopes and dreams of a successful road trip.

he has issues with his family that he is trying to take care of, and if he’s not back soon he will be released and then Everett Dawkins will get his shot to be a rotation guy on the final roster… DE and DT are plenty deep enough that they can afford to lose Ballard if necessary…. DE’s-J.Allen, E.Griffen, B.Robison, L.Jackson….DT’s-K.Williams,L.Guion,S.Floyd,E.Dawkins…. nice D-line rotation….

nickynick04 says:
Aug 19, 2013 3:57 PM
I discovered that the Packer fans attack the Vikes threads because there are Waaaaaaay more anti Packer messages on the Packer threads.
Seriously , it looks like the Viking fans started this childish behavior.
I would much rather see a ” Respect ” of fellow ” Black & Blue ” division rivals.
It would be a lot more interesting looking at how ” Our ” division can fair against another.
How Our particular team can some how survive 6 ” in division ” games.
I think the NFC North is the best division in the NFL,,,,BAR NONE.
A trip to Chi town is not a easy task. Nor a trip to play the Vikes at their home, add to that a trip to Detroit or Green Bay can ruin your hopes and dreams of a successful road trip.

Just saying…..

FYI
Da Bears need an ” O ” line & DBs
Lions need a “d ” secondary , and DBs
Minn needs a QB , & DBs
and the Packers need LBs besides CM3 & a LOTackle
…………..
What fun would it be on here if everyone just got along? Not much……

Seriously , it looks like the Viking fans started this childish behavior.

————————————————–

Incorrect!!

Years ago I noticed Viking threads had a ton of comments on them, half of which were Packer fans being childish. At the same time I noticed Packer threads had about 1/5 of the comments with about 25% being Viking fans. Packer fans started the fire and continue to fan the flames.

Well since I just hung out with Christian today I can tell you that he is mentally stable, doesn’t even have the slightest want to commit suicide… you guys gotta chill. I live in Lawrence, Kansas where he currently is at. All is well, have a nice day.